What's the verdict on aftermarket bodies?

[eou_edu]

I know this is talked about alot. A few hours of using the search function I thought it would be easier for this to compile together. I know they come with the full body and the more stripped down version with no top or hood. I'm also shopping for a price point, I know that's a cardinal sin but I have a budget I have to work with. I'm also on the west coast so ideally something I can drive to pick up. Here's a few options I know:

-china body: if you buy at alibaba you need to buy 10. Also it seems the verdict on these are "not as good." But For a fraction of the price and already painted it's very tempting.
-US retailer reselling china bodies individually? the next question is if anybody is selling them fairly. They obviously have to make money but someone marking them up 200% wouldn't be very fair.
-Toms: $18k. I'm sure it's the best quality like everything on toms. but I'm simply not willing to pay for it.
-fiberglass: I can't remember if anybody is selling these anymore. Not my first choice but for the right price maybe?
-Small independent shop north of sacramento that I can remember the name of. I bought some parts from this shop once when i was passing through. It was a bronco restore shop and they were making their own steel bodies that looked pretty good! But I can't for the life of me remember them! They were about 30 miles north of sacremento off a tiny exit off 1-5. He quoted me a price that seem pretty reasonable at the time but I don't want to quote it again based on my bad memory.

-Aqualu: Far and away the best option for jeeps, landcruisers and samurai. Unfortunitly they don't make them for broncos. All aluminum body for $5k?!? I've asked them if they will ever build a bronco body but they said they tried and all the curves are just too complicated. Just added this to the list for people restoring something they do make it for. Or if you really want to hound them for making a bronco body to let them know there's some demand who knows if they figure it out!

 

[Broncobowsher]

It depends...

For a purist, it is original or nothing. As for someone willing to accept an aftermarket body...

I don't have issues with the aftermarket. So long as you don't try to pass it off as original.

 

[Shimmy]

anything on the west coast is $18k. i think there's a few nationwide that drop between $14k-16k but if you have to travel or ship then not much savings there. if you want in the 10k-12k range an unpainted china body may be your option. you can then get it home and adjust it as best as you can, prep and send in for paint.

 

[JB Fab]

I was all over the Chinese bodies at SEMA......
I am assuming they picked the best ones to bring to the show, not impressed...
FYI, the grills and tailgate don't say FORD

 

[EPB72]

I know this is talked about alot. A few hours of using the search function I thought it would be easier for this to compile together. I know they come with the full body and the more stripped down version with no top or hood. I'm also shopping for a price point, I know that's a cardinal sin but I have a budget I have to work with. I'm also on the west coast so ideally something I can drive to pick up. Here's a few options I know:

-china body: if you buy at alibaba you need to buy 10. Also it seems the verdict on these are "not as good." But For a fraction of the price and already painted it's very tempting.
-US retailer reselling china bodies individually? the next question is if anybody is selling them fairly. They obviously have to make money but someone marking them up 200% wouldn't be very fair.
-Toms: $18k. I'm sure it's the best quality like everything on toms. but I'm simply not willing to pay for it.
-fiberglass: I can't remember if anybody is selling these anymore. Not my first choice but for the right price maybe?
-Small independent shop north of sacramento that I can remember the name of. I bought some parts from this shop once when i was passing through. It was a bronco restore shop and they were making their own steel bodies that looked pretty good! But I can't for the life of me remember them! They were about 30 miles north of sacremento off a tiny exit off 1-5. He quoted me a price that seem pretty reasonable at the time but I don't want to quote it again based on my bad memory.

-Aqualu: Far and away the best option for jeeps, landcruisers and samurai. Unfortunitly they don't make them for broncos. All aluminum body for $5k?!? I've asked them if they will ever build a bronco body but they said they tried and all the curves are just too complicated. Just added this to the list for people restoring something they do make it for. Or if you really want to hound them for making a bronco body to let them know there's some demand who knows if they figure it out!

Shannon's out of woodland CA. ,,, north of SAC..

 

[1969]

I would buy one of the complete painted chyna bodies. But my bronco is not a show truck, and I don’t ever intend for it to be.

 

[eou_edu]

I would buy one of the complete painted chyna bodies. But my bronco is not a show truck, and I don’t ever intend for it to be.

Who sells one just of the china bodies? It appears you have to buy 10 on alibaba

 

[1969]

Who sells one just of the china bodies? It appears you have to buy 10 on alibaba

https://tpautoparts.com/collections...ct_type=Body+Assemblies&sort_by=most-relevant

https://www.facebook.com/share/1E8BU1KRgR/?mibextid=wwXIfr

 

[Broncobowsher]

Who sells one just of the china bodies? It appears you have to buy 10 on alibaba

www.carbody.com They were the ones at SEMA. Have brochure in hand. Toyota 86 and '67 mustang fastback are also in the offerings. They confirmed they are also working on the 300SL gullwing.

 

[Fastracer]

I know this is talked about alot. A few hours of using the search function I thought it would be easier for this to compile together. I know they come with the full body and the more stripped down version with no top or hood. I'm also shopping for a price point, I know that's a cardinal sin but I have a budget I have to work with. I'm also on the west coast so ideally something I can drive to pick up. Here's a few options I know:

-china body: if you buy at alibaba you need to buy 10. Also it seems the verdict on these are "not as good." But For a fraction of the price and already painted it's very tempting.
-US retailer reselling china bodies individually? the next question is if anybody is selling them fairly. They obviously have to make money but someone marking them up 200% wouldn't be very fair.
-Toms: $18k. I'm sure it's the best quality like everything on toms. but I'm simply not willing to pay for it.
-fiberglass: I can't remember if anybody is selling these anymore. Not my first choice but for the right price maybe?
-Small independent shop north of sacramento that I can remember the name of. I bought some parts from this shop once when i was passing through. It was a bronco restore shop and they were making their own steel bodies that looked pretty good! But I can't for the life of me remember them! They were about 30 miles north of sacremento off a tiny exit off 1-5. He quoted me a price that seem pretty reasonable at the time but I don't want to quote it again based on my bad memory.

-Aqualu: Far and away the best option for jeeps, landcruisers and samurai. Unfortunitly they don't make them for broncos. All aluminum body for $5k?!? I've asked them if they will ever build a bronco body but they said they tried and all the curves are just too complicated. Just added this to the list for people restoring something they do make it for. Or if you really want to hound them for making a bronco body to let them know there's some demand who knows if they figure it out!

I purchased a painted China Bronco ($13,800.00) in April of 2026, I built my Bronco from a bare frame so no repairing existing body, In my opinion if you are looking for a daily driver that can be enjoyed with a minimal wait time and working within a budget that does not put you upside down in the value of your vehicle this is a option that should be considered. I have assembled Bronco's with bodies from 3 players in the USA assembled market and they are not perfect when you receive them, paint is usually 15 to 25 thousand and you end up with a very nice Bronco body. That was my total budget for my build. Everyone is different I look at some really nice Bronco's and see plenty of China parts on them.

Installation of parts onto my body was not perfect, holes needed to be tapped, e-brake bracket had to be cutoff and turned around, dash fitment was sketchy but overall I have had similar issues with USA bodies. Fit, finish and paint are 7or 8 out of 10.

 

[davisjstone]

I purchased a painted China Bronco ($13,800.00) in April of 2026, I built my Bronco from a bare frame so no repairing existing body, In my opinion if you are looking for a daily driver that can be enjoyed with a minimal wait time and working within a budget that does not put you upside down in the value of your vehicle this is a option that should be considered. I have assembled Bronco's with bodies from 3 players in the USA assembled market and they are not perfect when you receive them, paint is usually 15 to 25 thousand and you end up with a very nice Bronco body. That was my total budget for my build. Everyone is different I look at some really nice Bronco's and see plenty of China parts on them.

Installation of parts onto my body was not perfect, holes needed to be tapped, e-brake bracket had to be cutoff and turned around, dash fitment was sketchy but overall I have had similar issues with USA bodies. Fit, finish and paint are 7or 8 out of 10.

What was the issue with the dash fitment?

 

[JB Fab]

I have also purchased a US made body, it was pretty bad. If I ever buy a body again I will fly to the source and inspect the body prior to shipment.
Topnault, the dealer for the https://www.carbody.com/ bodies at SEMA said that they stock/ship from Temecula CA and that you can visit to check out the body prior to delivery

 

[Fastracer]

What was the issue with the dash fitment?

The windshield mounting hole on the right side was off-center to the threads in the windshield frame and it had to be twisted to get the lower mount bolts to line up on the drivers side. If I had an original dash I would use it. It also has holes for every cable, switch and warning light ever made.